A la Colthard/Semolina and the Pig in South Downs

Semolina was recommended to me by the greeter/manageress at my hairdresser in Brighton.

Its location off London Road, north of the centre, is not the best as it’s an area known for druggies.

The restaurant is small.

On the night we (my guest was a spirited Aussie girl who is a party animal) we were the only diners.  This is something I never like.

My friend rated her two fish dishes (hake and sole) but my venison haunch had a thick sauce that was too cloying.

She had 2 glasses of white wine, me a Brighton gin and tonic and a glass of Lebanese red.

The  bill was just over £100.

I will give it another try but left unimpressed.

Yesterday I revisited the Pig In South Downs situated at Madehurst near Arundel.

No problem about the location with gorgeous views over the South Downs.

Nor about atmosphere as the restaurant was full.

On the next table it looked like grandparents giving their grandson a treat; on another table was a lively birthday party; various other couples were clearly enjoying themselves.

I met an old friend who had moved down here to Petworth whilst retaining a flat in Marylebone.

We both ordered salads starters as the Pig is big on locally-sourced produce.

We followed this with a Beef and Longmans Ale pie. I had a gin and tonic and a bottle of Longman’s Ale and my fiend a tomato juice and water.

The final bill was £106.

The Arundel area is well served by gastro pubs (The George at Belpham, the Squire and Horse at Bury, The Bridge at Amberley) – so competition is fierce – but the Pig is a welcome addition, especially at it has a hotel residential resource.

The service was excellent and, as ever in West Sussex, you had a lovely drive though the South Downs to get there and back.